AGENDA

3rd Hybrid National Chapters Forum in Madrid

“Instruments for Success: National Chapters Driving Diverse Implementation Through a Shared Vision”

Forum dates: 19-20 March 2026 

Forum venue: Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)

Plaza de Ramón y Cajal, s/n

 

Event theme and description: 

After exploring pluralistic definitions of success in different regional contexts in Bonn last year, we are excited to come together again in Madrid on March 19-20th at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), under the theme, “Instruments for Success: National Chapters Driving Diverse Implementation Through a Shared Vision.”  

The third National Chapter Forum of CoARA, co-hosted by CRUE, CSIC, ISCIII, and ANECA (coordination group, National Chapter Spain) will explore the instruments, tools, and frameworks that can be developed to further advance implementation of research assessment reform at regional and national levels. The forum will also offer a platform for mutual exchange between the CoARA Steering Board and National Chapter representatives to explore the emerging role of National Chapters in the future strategic vision of the coalition.

Guiding questions for presentations:

• Reflect on the status of implementation in your national context: What tools have been developed that have been effective so far, and/or what tools are needed to drive further implementation? 

• What makes certain instruments work in practice, and/or what makes implementation challenging in your national context? 

• How can tools be developed to address national frameworks, while also allowing for flexibility to expand cross-regional uptake? 

• How do you envision the role of National Chapters evolving in the future of CoARA?

 

 

Thursday, 19 March

Venue:
Sala de Grados, Faculty of Medicine – UCM 

Pl. de Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid

 

• 09:15 | Registration

 

• 09:30 | **Closed strategic exchange between NC Co-Chairs and CoARA Steering Board** 
  • Moderated by CoARA Chair, Prof. Henk Kummeling
  • Topics: Building the vision for the emerging role of NCs in the next phase of the coalition, enhancing coordination between NCs and involving WGs in NC activities, and future funding options.
  • ZOOMLINK FOR ONLINE PARTICIPANTS – CLOSED SESSION WITH COARA STEERING BOARD: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86472961640?pwd=slcBPV2FqKxD7yxmyHPKwNSGbpclgM.1

 

• 11:00 | Coffee Break
  • Arrival of external guests & registration

 

ZOOMLINK FOR ONLINE PARTICIPANTS – OPEN SESSION DAY 1:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85373155778?pwd=ax1G9vpadd78IN1IIbqZU9lTshlLh1.1

 

• 11:30 | Institutional Opening: Welcome by academic authorities and institutional representatives 
  • Opening remarks by Laia de Nadal (CRUE, NC Spain), Prof. Henk Kummeling (CoARA Chair), and Fernando Mérida (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities – MICIU)

 

• 11:50 | Group photo with authorities and representatives

 

• 12:00 | Keynote 1: The Spanish National Chapter: Tools for success
  • Presented by María Blanco (ANECA, NC Spain)
  • Success stories of the Spanish NC and how they reached it
  • Guiding Questions: What barriers were overcome/how did national frameworks facilitate engagement in reform efforts and/or policy changes? How did the NC collaborate with regional actors to develop their first output? What does the next phase of development look like? 
  • Best practices to share in developing outputs with regional specificity, but broader applications for the research community.
  • Q&A 

 

• 12:20 | Keynote 2: Input from the European Commission and the ERA Forum 
  • Presentation by Cristina Martinez (European Commission)

 

• 12:40 | Keynote 3: CoARA: Vision, Progress and Next Steps
  • Delivered by CoARA Chair, Prof. Henk Kummeling 
  • Focus: Global perspective on the tools for reform and the long-term vision/impact of CoARA

 

• 13:00 | Lunch

 

• 13:45-16:00 | Spotlight on National Chapters: Experiences, Successes and Lessons Learned
  • Moderated by Pandelis Perakakis (CRUE, NC Spain)
  • Short presentations (5 minutes) by several National Chapters showcasing diverse approaches: institutionalisation, engagement with national authorities, change strategies, among others. Each block followed by a Q&A session.
  • Guiding questions:
    • Reflect on the status of implementation in your national context: What tools have been developed that have been effective so far, and/or what tools are needed to drive further implementation? 
    • What makes certain instruments work in practice, and/or what makes implementation challenging in your national context? 
    • How can tools be developed to address national frameworks, while also allowing for flexibility to expand cross-regional uptake?

Order of presentations:

• • Block A: 13:50-14:30
    • |13:50-13:55| Presentation by Prof. Fabien Borget, NC France
    • |13:55-14:00| Presentation by Olivia Denk, NC Switzerland
    • |14:00-14:05| Presentation by Giuliana Rubbia, NC Italy
    • |14:05-14:10| Presentation by Dr. Bruno Béu, NC Portugal (online)
    • |14:10-14:15|Presentation by Dr. Klemen Miklavic, NC Slovenia
  • Q&A: 14:15-14:30

• • Block B: 14:30-15:05
    • |14:30-14:35| Presentation by Dr. Mira Söderman, NC Finland
    • |14:35-14:40| Presentation by Krisztina Szepesvári, NC Hungary
    • |14:40-14:45| Presentation by Dr. David O’Connell, NC Ireland
    • |14:45-14:50| Presentation by Dr. Stefan Penders, NC Netherlands (online) 
  • Q&A: 14:50-15:05

• • Block C: 15:05-15:45
    • |15:05-15:10| Presentation by Prof. Stanislaw Kistryn, NC Poland
    • |15:10-15:15| Presentation by Ragnar Lie, NC Norway (online)
    • |15:15-15:20| Presentation by Poul Meier Melchiorsen, NC Denmark
    • |15:20-15:25| Presentation by Katrin Brugger, NC Austria
    • |15:25-15:30| Presentation by Thanasis Vergoulis, NC Greece 
  • Q&A: 15:30-15:45

 

•  17:00 | Guided Cultural Visit to the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid
  • Plaza de Murillo, 2, Retiro, 28014 Madrid
  • Meeting point: Puerta de Murillo entrance
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Group photo

 

•  20:00 | Dinner
  • Restaurante Olmo. Calle de Ferraz, 5. 28008 – Madrid

 

Friday, 20 March 

Venue:

Sala de Grados, Faculty of Medicine – UCM 

Pl. de Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid

ZOOMLINK FOR ONLINE PARTICIPANTS – OPEN SESSION DAY 2

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83189244806?pwd=WlQcz94r5Lf6Wz3tl49hy0iyFZKZhS.1

 

• 09:20 | Registration Day 2

 

•  09:30 | Plenary Session: Summary of the previous day and objectives for the day
  • Delivered by CoARA Vice Chair, Janne Pölönen 

 

• 10:00 | Panel discussion: CoARA Tools and outputs in national contexts
  • Moderated by CoARA Steering Board member, Irene Ramos Vielba (ANECA, NC Spain)
  • Panellists: Dr. Mira Söderman (Federation of Finnish Learned Societies, NC Finland), Prof. Stanislaw Kistryn (Jagellonian University, CoARA Steering Board member, NC Poland), Prof. Fabien Borget (Aix-Marseille University, NC France), Mathijs Vleugel (Helmholtz Open Science Office, NC Germany), Giuliana Rubbia (INGV, NC Italy), Dr. Rita Morais (European University Association, WG ACA).
  • The discussion will explore different policy and institutional instruments that countries are currently developing or deploying to advance research assessment reform. Particular attention will be given to the possibilities and challenges of transferring or adapting such instruments across national contexts.
    • Questions to explore what kind of tools are most relevant and impactful for advancing reform in your regional context?
    • What kind of cross-regional synergies can be developed or explored?
    • How do you balance developing tools that are open and flexible enough to be adapted to a range of contexts while maintaining enough detail to acknowledge the barriers or specific challenges of both institutional and regional contexts? 

 

• 11:30 | Coffee Break

 

• 12:00 | Wrap up and Closing of the Forum
  • Delivered by CoARA Chair, Prof. Henk Kummeling 

 

•  13:00 | Lunch 

 

•  15:00 | End